In its third year, the Home School Legal Defense Association Essay Contest drew applicants from several countries, including Mexico and New Zealand. Four hundred students sent in essays this year, and the eight judges were faced with the difficult task of choosing only six in each category.

"This year's essays were superb," said HSLDA President Mike Smith, "Homeschoolers continue to prove their writing abilities," he added.

"It was challenging to judge the essays because many of the ideas were original. The students wrote about things that I hadn't even thought about before reading the essays, and some of them even persuaded me to change my views on some issues," said one judge, a homeschool graduate herself.

This was the first year that the Essay Contest was open to non-HSLDA members. Six prizes were offered in each category, ranging from $400 to $25. The six winners in each age group are listed below.

In Category I, students from 12 to 15 wrote on the topic, "What one human invention do you believe has had the most significant impact on the present and why?" First place in this category goes to Jennie Guthrie for her essay on how the computer has changed the world for the better. In second place is Amanda McCrina, who described the impact of the camera.

For Category II, students from 16 to 18 had to discuss, "If you could speak to a political or cultural leader who lived from about 1750 to 1800, who would it be, why would you choose him or her, and what would you discuss?" The first place prize goes to Rachael Thomas from Texas, who imagined a conversation with her ancestor, John Adams. Second place was awarded to Faith Alessio from Michigan, who wrote about Jonathan Edwards, minister and president of Princeton University.